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Marion City Council discussed options for a citywide recycling program at Tuesday’s meeting.

Options presented by interim city administrator Roger Holter were for a trailer where citizens could dispose of their recycling on a 24/7 basis, and curbside pickup.

The curbside option was most liked by council members who wanted an option more practical for older residents. The downside would be the $90 fee for each of the 90-gallon containers needed for residents to sort their recycling.

“It comes to around $63,000 for the city to purchase the bins for residents and businesses to recycle,” Holter said.

The curbside pickup option would also cut down trash pickup from two days to one day a week.

“The same truck would be used to pick up the trash and recycling and cutting down a day would mean no cost, other than the bins were being expanded beyond the normal routes,” Holter said.

Council member Chris Meierhoff said he was in favor of a recycling program but knew multiple residents who would never recycle or use the bins.

“Not everyone is going to recycle and I’m not willing to spend $63,000 on it,” he said. “We need to look at a way to give people the option and not purchase the bins for them.”

Council members asked Holter to return to the drawing board and find ways for a combination of trailer and curbside service that would allow residents the option to pay for a bin.

“We need to design this to cater to our city’s population,” council member Todd Heitschmidt said.

The city also approved a final change order for the Main St. project in the amount of a $25,000 decrease. The decrease includes holding a $17,000 payment to Kansas Paving for a half block of the street that was laid under wet conditions.

Kansas Paving and KDOT tested the section near Elm St. and found it to be OK, but Darin Neufeld of EBH Engineering said payment would be held until a written letter by KDOT was sent to EBH or the city.

The letter would absolve the city of any financial liability if part of the street in general goes bad within the next two years.

“I’m skeptical, but this way KDOT will be liable to pay to replace the road if damage occurs,” Neufeld said.

The council also approved to convene a committee to decide on questions and a formal interview process for three candidates being considered for the city administrator position.

The committee will consist of council members Heitschmidt and Jerry Dieter and City Clerk Angela Lange. After the committee, sets a list of designated questions the candidates will be contacted for a formal interview completed by council and led my Mayor Mary Olson.

Letters informing other candidates they are no longer being considered for the position were mailed last week. The three candidates being considered are all from Kansas.

In other news:

The council approved a reimbursement request for the Main St. project in the amount of $27,191.41

The council also approved a state franchise agreement with Eagle Communications that will be evaluated every five years.

The council approved guidelines for certification and training for licensing for plumbers and electricians. Those applying for city certifications must complete three hours of continuing education classes in their field per year and show proof of passing state certification testing.